It is a sad, sad time for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fans, as Garcelle Beauvais recently announced that she would not be returning for the show’s 16th season. Created by Scott Dunlop, few cast members of this legendary reality show are as beloved as Beauvais. For five seasons she made waves when introduced by disrupting the current cast’s stale dynamics, bringing endless poise while still delivering on truly jaw-dropping moments of drama. Yet she always navigated these messy scenes with the wit and composure befitting a model/actress.
Hers was an elegant presence that fans (and Bravo employees) are going to miss watching onscreen — but, luckily, they don’t have to be sad for long. Because there’s another show that not only displays Beauvais’s many talents, but honors the figure that viewers first got to love on RHOBH. It’s sad to see her leave, but luckily, any fan who wants more of Beauvais only needs to watch Michelle Buteau’s Survival of the Thickest.
There’s Never Been a ‘Real Housewife’ Like Garcelle
The end of season nine saw The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills filled with unchecked pettiness and nonstop mess, with Garcelle Beauvais being the ultimate breath of fresh air when she first appeared on season ten. Despite being a ‘newbie,’ Beauvais made it instantly clear that she wouldn’t put up with the petty bullying too many of the women had become accustomed to. She called out franchise heavyweights like Kyle Richards and never stayed silent when somebody said something she didn’t agree with. From her heartwarming relationship with fellow cast member Sutton Stracke to bringing important conversations about race and class to the series, Beauvais’s tenure was monumental for the franchise as a whole — which is why it’s so, so unfortunate that last season’s rampant bullying pushed her to quit. This announcement disappointed countless fans (and Andy Cohen himself), with viewers already missing the dazzling presence she brought to every moment onscreen…luckily, there’s another series that showcases all of that and more from the (now-former) housewife.
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“Love you all for the kind messages.”
Survival of the Thickets focuses on Mavis (Buteau), a plus-sized stylist whose goal is to help every woman she meets feel as beautiful as possible (while managing the nonstop chaos that is her own life). The first season sees her get to style Natasha Karina, a model who is not only played by, but is clearly modeled after Garcelle. Karina’s experience on the show is extremely similar to what Beauvais has experienced in her own life; the character struggles with the fashion industry’s brutal ageism, trying to love herself again when so many people only think of her as ‘washed-up.’ Beauvais has expressed how she’s dealt with those same pressures, a lived-experience that shines through in every moment she has onscreen. From not only these emotional themes but the wildly hilarious situations Karina gets herself into, this role reminds RHOBH fans that before she was reading every LA housewife to filth, Beauvais was an extremely successful actress — and clearly still is.
‘Survival of the Thickest’ Is Perfect for This Legendary Actress
Even beyond this expertise, though, it’s the clear appreciation and love that the show’s other characters have for the character that makes this a heartfelt watch for Beauvais fans. There are many moments when Natasha is thanked for how she’s broken barriers in fashion, honoring her decades of work and the way she’s paved the way for so many other young women today. All of these compliments are clearly directed to the actress herself, and while its unfortunate fans didn’t see her receive them on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, it’s beautiful that they get to watch Beauvais finally get them in this role.
While Survival of the Thickest is an amazing appreciation for the icon that is Garcelle Beauvais, nothing will match the woman as her genuine self on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. This was the platform where so many people got to meet the genuine Beauvais, and while Natasha Karina is an amazing role, the fact that she’s a character on a show immediately distances her from the authentic personality viewers know and love. Yet Beauvais wants everyone to remember that she isn’t going anywhere, that fans can still engage with her online and learn about the same personality they fell in love with onscreen. And until she appears on another reality show, Survival of the Thickest is a program that not only features Beauvais but encapsulates everything the woman is about. It’s a series about self-love and finding community with those around you, and by finally giving her the flowers she deserves, it is an absolute must-watch for any Beauvais fan today.
